New steel commuter / gravel bike recommendations?

Hi all
My beloved Bob Jackson frame cracked and it will take some time to find a frame builder, repair and get it back on the road. I'll be pursing the repair route but given I need to get around I'll need to get a new bike asap.

If you were to buy a new steel bike, what would you get? Not looking to build up a bike from scratch at this time, rather, buy a fully built up bike from a shop. I'm in Zurich currently so the bike shop/distributor would need to ship to Switzerland.

Requirements are pretty simple:

• Relaxed road bike frame with eyelits for rear panniers and for mudguards
  
• Weight isn't a number one priority but don't want a tank either
  
• Solid wheel set that can take a beating with load (panniers usually have 15-20kg)
  
• Solid components, at least 105 equivalent (probably go for a 1x setup) with disc brakes
  
• Willing to spend £1,500 +/- I'll spend more to get a good bang for buck
  
  

Was thinking something like

• Condor Bivio
  
• Genesis Croix De Fer 30
  
• Other recommendations?
  
  

Thanks in advance

Can't comment on their distribution but maybe the Ribble CGR 725

Ribble would have to be imported, which in theory isn't really a hindrance, but right now will probably be a bit difficult (same goes for Condor, I think you can get Genesis locally in Switzerland).

I used to own a Canti Bivio but now ride a Bombtrack Hook ext, definitely prefer the latter - but both would be above your budget new (there was a hook for 1000 on velomarkt a week ago though). Maybe reconsider steel only, aluminium frames can often be found cheaper.

If it's proper urgent and sizing works, you could borrow a bike from me for a bit (I'm in Zurich too).

Ribble CGR 725

The lead time on these is pretty long, my friends took about 6 months to arrive

No personal experience witht these but might be worth a look

https://spacycles.co.uk/m11b0s143p4590/SPA-CYCLES-Elan-725-Frame-and-Forks

Or this but its light on any details

https://spacycles.co.uk/m11b0s143p2702/SPA-CYCLES-Roughstuff-Frame-and-forks-

flamme rouge
Erikastrasse 11 , Zurich 8003

They sell Surly bikes.

Thx for the offer @slothy not proper urgent as I have my mtb I could use if I need to get around town....just want to get back to my panniers for lugging things around town.

@sacredhart actually my current wheel set is from SpaCycles...bought them 7 years ago to fit on the Bob for the original build.. still using them, bombproof. Had a good experience with them but now they're not shipping out of the UK per their website.

Thanks @miro_o for the tip....will check them out as well.

The Bivio Disc Thru Axle is fabulous but even with a modest fitout using a Shimano group it's going on £4K, well over that if you opt for Campagnolo Ekar. Plus delivery to CH of course.

Flamme Rouge is a good idea, maybe also check out Zweiradgeber. Their Mads could work for you (although it's a bit on the pricy side imo), they also sell all city and omnium.

Shand Leveret has £300 off atm and looks like a great commuter set up. Steel, hub gear and belt drive. Maybe not exactly what you’re looking for, but worth considering?

https://www.shandcycles.com/shop/shand-leveret/

Interesting recommendation @scraplab thanks. Never considered a belt drive option. For my purpose actually could work. Need to look into it more. But never heard of Shand? Searching the forum , almost no threads on the brand or reviews...don’t seem to be a heritage brand and not sure of their reputation. Any comments here?

@HarmanMogul yeah actually after I spec’d it out it’s too much for my budget so not considering the Bivio unfortunately.

@slothy yeah I saw Zweiradgeber’s Mads but yes was too pricy

Yeah, fair enough. They’re a small Scottish frame builder, probably better known for their gravel/road bikes like the Stooshie. Seem well regarded, but not a big name.

https://road.cc/content/review/271161-shand-stooshie

Yeah just concerned about heritage and longevity... loads of little brands sprouting up and who knows what the quality is like and where they'll be in the future for warranty etc. Just emailed Shand a few questions inclding shipping to Switzerland etc let's see what they come back with. Also noticed the Leveret is handmade but from their "Taiwanese partners"

Saying that Bob Jackson is 80+ years old but almost went bankrupt, frame cracked and not even sure if they have a warranty on the frame anyway! also waiting on their response

I didnt expect shand to outsource production. A large part of there allure was that they were manufactured in UK/Scotland.
They invested in quite a bit of equipment too. I beleive they are owned by a indian conglomerate now, that was keen to keep production local.
Perhaps they go down the fashion/cloths brands of creating a British brand (burberry etc) and then shifting production to market internationally.
Even modern brooks saddle are made abroad.

My brother ordered a ribble CGR in Oct, he’s expecting it at the end of Jan.

What about a Brother Kepler? The OTP build comes set up more like a gravel bike but nothing a set of slick tyres and mudguards couldn't fix. Seem to get reviewed well here!

@ltc Brother Kepler not a bad option either. Good price point. Back in stock next month. Cheers for the rec...pls keep them coming!

Right now two in the running are the Shand Leveret or the Brother Kepler... pretty much the same price point. Both steel frames hand made albeit in Taiwan. I like the look of the Shand Leveret better, bonus points it comes with mudguards.

Just not so sure about the belt drive! Seems very minimalistic and low maintenance but skeptical if the belt snaps or have to get it fixed. Do most LBS' service or would have to go to a more speciality shop?

Maybe an All City Space Horse is worth a look? Seems to tick most of your boxes. Did you have a preference of rim vs disc brakes?

Definitely disc.
Had a look at the All City Space Horse GRX - out of my price range. And not too keen on the color :P

Perhaps a Daccordi Aurelia
Prepped for disc, road & canti brakes.
Does not have a fancy tube set.

https://www.daccordicycles.com/gravel-bikes/aurelia-bike-shop/

Contact them, they offer discounts on stock items.

Add fairlight cycles into the mix.. have always tempted a purchase for me. So far I've resisted.
http://www.fairlightcycles.com

Wow, Fairlight cycles are really nice... based on the spec I'd get it's too far out of my price range sadly. And same with Daccordi bikes.

Oops, missed the part of your list that specified discs! All City do a Tiagra version but it's still not cheap for the spec. I have a (second hand) Mr Pink and think it's great though, All City make really nice frames.

Looked into the Fairlight cycles... the "look book" is making me drool.

The Faran 2.0 Shimano GPX 600 1x setup for £2,049 is outside of my budget but it isn't much more than the Shand Leveret. I'm just weary of that belt drive 8-speed setup and I fancy the new GPX groupset.

Sent some questions to Fairlight..let's see what they come back with once the holiday period is over. Cheers for the recommendation!